In response to determining that a panic situation exists, an aircraft panic component can at least partially disable various systems of an aircraft, such as a navigation system (e.g., flight plans), an operational system (e.g., aircraft controls), or other suitable systems. For example, elements of a navigation and/or operational system of the aircraft may be disabled to disable local (e.g., pilot or cockpit) control of those system and/or to at least partially disable local operational systems of the aircraft (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic flight control mechanisms, etc.). The navigation system can be updated with a new flight plan and the aircraft can have its autopilot engaged to pilot the aircraft according to the new flight plan such as to direct the aircraft to a certain altitude and/or heading. A remote terminal can be notified of the panic situation and control of the navigation system and/or operational systems can be turned over, potentially exclusively, to the remote terminal.

The invention is a service for sending and/or receiving messages in a first format intended for a recipient or authority, where the service identifies for the intended recipient a second format for receiving messages, and where the service formats a communication for delivery to the intended recipient, where the message is prepared to be presented to the recipient in the first and/or the second format.

An apparatus and method of delivering an alert from an aircraft to a search and rescue system. An alert from an aircraft is received via a communications satellite. The alert comprises identification information identifying the aircraft and position information identifying the position of the aircraft. In response to receiving the alert, an emulated distress radio beacon signal is generated. The emulated distress radio beacon signal comprises the identification information and the position information in a standard format of a signal generated by a distress radio beacon. The emulated distress radio beacon signal is broadcast from a location other than the aircraft as an emulated distress radio beacon transmission that is configured to be received and processed by the search and rescue system.

A system includes a first terminal configured to transmit control data to a controlled terminal via a first communication link for controlling operation of the controlled terminal, and a second terminal configured to transmit control data to the controlled terminal via a second communication link for controlling operation of the controlled terminal. The second terminal is further configured to, in response to the first communication link being under interference, receive the control data from the first terminal via a third communication link and transmit the control data received from the first terminal to the controlled terminal via the second communication link.

A navigation security module of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives a combination of signals from a location technology, each signal comprising at least a signal identification and location data. The combination of signal identifications is processed against known identifications. If the identification is not found, or if the combination of signal identification is not possible, the signal may be a rogue signal, resulting in a quarantine protocol.

The invention is a service for sending and/or receiving messages in a first format intended for a recipient or authority, where the service identifies for the intended recipient a second format for receiving messages, and where the service formats a communication for delivery to the intended recipient, where the message is prepared to be presented to the recipient in the first and/or the second format.

The invention is a service for sending and/or receiving messages in a first format intended for a recipient or authority, where the service identifies for the intended recipient a second format for receiving messages, and where the service formats a communication for delivery to the intended recipient, where the message is prepared to be presented to the recipient in the first and/or the second format.

In response to determining that a panic situation exists, an aircraft panic component can at least partially disable various systems of an aircraft, such as a navigation system (e.g., flight plans), an operational system (e.g., aircraft controls), or other suitable systems. For example, elements of a navigation and/or operational system of the aircraft may be disabled to disable local (e.g., pilot or cockpit) control of those system and/or to at least partially disable local operational systems of the aircraft (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic flight control mechanisms, etc.). The navigation system can be updated with a new flight plan and the aircraft can have its autopilot engaged to pilot the aircraft according to the new flight plan such as to direct the aircraft to a certain altitude and/or heading. A remote terminal can be notified of the panic situation and control of the navigation system and/or operational systems can be turned over, potentially exclusively, to the remote terminal.

The airplane anti-hijacking system is an access control, alarm, and lockout system that is installed on commercial aircraft for the purpose of preventing unauthorized persons from taking control of the aircraft. The airplane anti-hijacking system is a biometric system that authenticates the identity of the flight crew and automatically monitors the flight operation for anomalies. Should an anomaly occur in-flight, an emergency message is sent via satellite to the appropriate authorities. Upon receipt of an emergency message, airplane anti-hijacking system gives the appropriate authorities the ability to seize control of the aircraft by locking out in-flight control of the operation of the flight controls and operating the aircraft remotely. The airplane anti-hijacking system further comprises a craft control module and a plurality of biometric scanners.

A method, apparatus, and aircraft tracker system for reporting state information for an aircraft. A state of the aircraft is identified using sensor data received from an aircraft sensor system in the aircraft. The state information is transmitted at a reporting rate set using the state of the aircraft identified from the sensor data, at least one of a crew command or a ground command when at least one of the crew command is received from a crew interface or the ground command is received from a ground source, and a policy defining priorities for reporting that are based on at least one of the crew command, the ground command, or the state of the aircraft identified from the sensor data.